House Clearance Havering – Health & Safety Policy

House Clearance Havering is committed to delivering safe, compliant and professional house clearance and rubbish removal services across our service area. This health and safety policy sets out the principles and practical measures we adopt to protect staff, clients, contractors and the environment while providing domestic and commercial waste clearance, junk removal and full property clearance work. The aim is to reduce risk, prevent injury and ensure that every clearance job is managed with a consistent safety-first approach.

Purpose and Scope

Policy Objectives

Our objectives are to ensure that all clearance services operate under a clear safety management system. We will:

• Identify and assess hazards before every job;
• Control risks through training, equipment and safe systems of work;
• Comply with applicable legal and environmental requirements;
• Promote continual improvement to health and safety performance.

To achieve these objectives we assign clear responsibilities, provide suitable training and maintain records of risk assessments, permits and waste handling documentation. This policy covers all employees, agency workers and subcontractors engaged to carry out house clearance, rubbish collection, waste transfer or related duties on behalf of the company.

Responsibilities: every staff member has a role in safety. Managers will ensure that works are planned, resourced and monitored. Supervisors will conduct site briefings and verify that personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and used correctly. Employees must follow safe working procedures, report hazards and complete relevant training. Contractors and temporary staff are required to demonstrate competence before engaging in site operations.

Risk assessment and planning are central to our approach. For each job we perform a written assessment highlighting manual handling risks, hazardous materials (including asbestos, batteries, solvents and sharps), fall risks and traffic management when working near public access. Where specialist handling or disposal is needed, we will engage licensed hazardous waste carriers and waste transfer stations to ensure legal and safe processing.

Training and competence: staff receive induction training covering manual handling, correct use of PPE, safe loading and securing of vehicles, and awareness of hazardous items frequently encountered during house and estate clearance. Regular refresher training and toolbox talks ensure teams stay updated on best practice. We maintain training records and monitor performance through observations and periodic competency checks.

Safe equipment and vehicle use are essential. Vehicles and lifting aids are inspected and maintained to the manufacturer's standards. Trolleys, sack trucks, lifting straps and tail lifts are used to reduce manual handling. Drivers are trained in safe loading and securement of loads; roadworthiness checks are made before each shift. Electrical equipment and power tools are examined and tested regularly to prevent malfunctions that could cause injury.

Manual handling controls: we apply the hierarchy of controls to minimize strain and injury—eliminate unnecessary lifts, use mechanical aids where possible, organize tasks to allow team lifting and rotate duties to prevent repetitive strain. Staff are instructed on correct posture, grip and positioning, and supervisors intervene when unsafe practices are observed.

Site protection and environmental controls: during every clearance we protect surfaces, pathways and public areas to prevent slips, trips and accidental damage. Waste is segregated at source—items suitable for donation or reuse are separated from general rubbish, recyclables and hazardous waste. Spill kits and containment methods are available for any accidental releases, and procedures are in place to prevent contamination of drains and soil.

Incident management and first aid: all incidents, near misses and property damage are recorded and investigated. We maintain trained first-aiders, first aid kits and clear emergency procedures. In the event of a serious incident we will secure the scene, provide immediate care, notify relevant authorities and review processes to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are communicated across the team to reinforce safer working practices.

Compliance, auditing and performance monitoring are integral. We conduct regular site audits, vehicle inspections and management reviews to ensure adherence to this policy. Performance indicators include incident rates, audit findings, training completion and client safety observations. Where external legislation or standards apply, we will meet or exceed those requirements and retain documentary evidence of compliance.

Continuous improvement: this policy is reviewed periodically and after significant incidents or changes in operations. Feedback from staff, regulatory guidance and changes in waste management practice influence updates. By fostering a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility, House Clearance Havering aims to deliver reliable rubbish company services across its service area while protecting people and the environment.

Final statement: the leadership team fully supports this health and safety policy and commits the necessary resources to implement it. Employees are expected to cooperate, follow procedures and contribute to a safe workplace. This policy applies to all clearance, rubbish removal and waste handling activities undertaken in support of the company's service provision and is available to staff for consultation and implementation.